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When Adam Sandler made his television debut as Stud Boy and the Trivia Delinquent on MTV's influential game show "Remote Control," he did not exude an all-ages appeal. He was an unassuming goofball: funny, yes, but in a dorky way that augured a career as, at best, a supporting comedic performer. If he played his cards right, he could have Gilbert Gottfried's movie and television career.

Like Gottfried, Sandler became a Not Ready for Prime Time Player on "Saturday Night Live." Unlike Gottfried, he didn't get canned after his first season. By the early 1990s, he was one of the show's breakout stars. He built on his success via a pair of platinum comedy albums ("They're All Gonna Laugh at You" and "What the Hell Happened to Me?"), and proved he could carry a movie with 1995's "Billy Madison." The critics loathed him, but teens and twentysomethings dug his unrepentantly juvenile humor.

The man himself Jeff Lieberman is flying over from NY to join fans in an intimate one-off weekend showcasing his most beloved works.

Throughout this special weekend, we’ll be showing at least 5 of Jeff’s films over two days in one of the Midlands’ only remaining independent cinemas situated near Birmingham, including his genre classics Just Before Dawn, Remote Control, Squirm, Satan’s Little Helper, Blue Sunshine…and there’ll also be introductions and Q&As with the man himself that you can be a part of!

In addition, you’ll also have chance to get together with other like-minded fans to discuss films, grab a beer from the licensed bar and browse the dealer tables selling film memorabilia and Blu-rays!

This promises to be a great opportunity for fans to meet the man in person, watch his films, ask him questions, get an autograph/photo…and maybe even buy Jeff a pint!

Chicago – Leave it to acerbic comedian Denis Leary to cut through our times with a new book, “Why We Don’t Suck,” which is subtitled “And How All of Us Need to Stop Being Such Partisan Little Bitches.” Whether he is the man to stop it all remains to be seen, but he was in Chicagoland in early November to promote the book through Anderson’s Bookshop.

Denis Leary in Naperville Promoting His New Book, ‘Why We Don’t Suck’

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Denis Colin Leary was born in Worchester, Massachusetts, and graduated from Emerson College in nearby Boston. After graduation, he began working his way up the comedy ladder in clubs around Boston. He broke out nationally on MTV, working on “Remote Control” and other promotions for the channel. Noted for his cynical, caustic style of comedy, he later promoted that persona...

The year 1990 was the beginning of a new decade that just had survived the neon excesses of the ’80s. This fresh start was seen in the world at large with the reunification of Germany, the unification of Yemen, the release of Nelson Mandela and the resignation of Margaret Thatcher as the U.K.’s prime minister.

It was also the fledgling days of the internet, when the first web server was created, providing a foundation for the World Wide Web as we know it.

Read More: ‘Animaniacs’ Reboot Being Developed by Steven Spielberg, Amblin TV and Warner Bros. — Exclusive

Over on television, “Saturday Night Live” welcomed the new talents of Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and Julia Sweeney.

The year also marked the end of an era for shows like “Alf,” “227,” “Newhart,” primetime soap “Falcon Crest,” Nickelodeon’s slime purveyor “You Can’t Do That on Television,...

Every family has their tradition when it comes to the holidays. Ever since I was a kid, we would celebrate with my father's side of the family on Christmas Eve, and then with my mother's side on Christmas Day, a tradition that has remained unchanged to this day. There is one tradition that we added on Christmas Eve night, maybe a decade or so ago, after my younger twin brothers and I would come back to my mom's house after spending the day with our father. We would watch the obscure 1994 R-rated Christmas comedy The Ref. Not It's A Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story or A Miracle of 41st Street, but an underrated and underseen comedy starring Denis Leary, post-Remote Control, Kevin Spacey, pre-Oscar win and Judy Davis, post-Oscar nomination. While The Ref may not be as revered as those aforementioned movies, I will always watch The Ref every Christmas Eve,...

The Los Angeles-based company has brought on Emmy-winning producer Phil Gurin to lead the new venture, Im Global executive chairman Donald Tang and Im Global founder and CEO and Im Global Television CEO Stuart Ford said on Tuesday.

The new unscripted and alternative division marks the latest expansion for Im Global and will create, acquire and co-develop content in all unscripted and alternative genres across all platforms.

As president of unscripted and alternative content Gurin, who won three Primetime Emmy Awards as an executive producer on ABC’s Shark Tank, will also work with brands and broadcasters to initiate new revenue models with partners and expand with production and development offices overseas. He will report directly to Ford.

The division will complement Im Global Television’s scripted operation, which is led by president Mark Stern and overseen by Ford.

Eli Shibley, president of Im Global’s international TV distribution and co-productions operation, and his team...

Adam Sandler’s “Pixels” invades theaters this weekend and the summer movie event has prompted TheWrap to look back at the comic actor’s journey from “The Cosby Show” and MTV’s “Remote Control” to “Saturday Night Live,” after which he quickly became one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars. All due respect to the “high-quality H20” of “The Waterboy” and the Donald R. DeCicco scene from “Coneheads,” but neither made this list, which is a testament to Sandler’s incredibly quotable career. Clearly I’m partial to some of Sandler’s early work on the big screen, which continues...

While the screening of "Trainwreck" that debuted at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, back in March was designated a "work-in-progress screening," it was so fully formed, so hilarious, so brilliant and explosive and heartfelt, that it felt finished and ready to capture the national zeitgeist, which it will undoubtedly do when it's finally released this summer. Sometimes you see a movie and just know that in a few months everyone will be talking about it. "Trainwreck" is that movie.

"Trainwreck" stars and was written by Amy Schumer, who plays a journalist living in New York City that, as the title suggests, doesn't exactly have her act together. She's sleeping with a sensitive meathead (John Cena), while also drinking heavily and, well, sleeping with a bunch of other people as well. But an assignment to profile a sports doctor (Bill Hader) that turns into a really-for-real romance,...

Sharknado 2: The Second One storms Syfy this Wednesday at 9/8c, having been greenlit near-immediately in the wake of last summer’s social media-feeding frenzy.

Video Syfy’s 12 Monkeys Trailer

Once again starring Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Tara Reid (American Pie) — as Fin, a surfer turned action-hero (…turned 747 pilot?), and his lady love April — the splashy sequel moves the action to New York City, where the toothy twister phenomenon amazingly has tailed the triumphant twosome.

Also on hand to withstand this latest bout of wild weather are Kari Wuhrer and Mark McGrath (playing Fin’s sister and brother-in-law), Vivica A. Fox,...

Colin Quinn will replace W. Kamau Bell as host of the Writers Guild of America East: 66th Annual Writers Guild Awards on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. In addition to celebrating the year for writers in film, television, new media and news, the ceremony will honor David Simon (writer/creator, “The Wire” and “Treme”), James Schamus (writer, producer and co-founder of Focus Films), and Philip V Pilato (1010 Wins). Bell had to bow out due to unforeseen conflicts. Also read: Garry Marshall to Receive Wgaw Laurel Award Quinn made his television debut as co-host of MTV’s “Remote Control.

Colin Quinn has replaced W. Kamau Bell as host of the 2014 Writers Guild Awards' New York ceremony it was announced Friday. Bell had to bow out due to unforeseen conflicts, the WGA East said. "I'm proud to be hosting the award show for the only people in the business that are as bitter as comedians," Quinn said in a statement. Story: WGA Unveils Film Award Nominations Quinn is currently touring with his one-man show Colin Quinn Unconstitutional and has a recurring role on HBO's Girls. He previously served as the host of MTV's Remote Control, SNL's Weekend

read more...

Don't fall victim to another Black Friday massacre! Going out the day after Thanksgiving might yield some amazing deals for your pocket book. But you can likely find similar items online for the same price. Is getting your old Aunt Joyce the last crumpled copy of 2 Broke Girls: The Complete Second Season DVD really worth having your kidneys stomped past your teeth and out of your mouth, where they will become a permanent part of the local Wal-Mart floor? You don't need that hassle. We understand you have a lot of folks to shop for, and everyone loves a movie! So, check out our Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for 2013, where we're sure to end the pain and suffering of figuring out what to get that extended family member or friend. We've thought of everyone! Be sure to browse through our extensive list, and we guarantee you'll find something for...

With Season 3 of "Teen Wolf" set to debut on MTV Monday, June 3rd, we've gotten hold of some previews and behind-the-scenes videos along with a few teasers from series creator Jeff Davis straight from the set.

Davis actually gave the MTV Remote Control Blog 25 hints of what's coming, and we have the highlights below. For the full list be sure to hit the link at the bottom of the page.

Synopsis:

MTV's hit scripted series "Teen Wolf" is set to debut the first half of its supersized 24-episode third season on Monday, June 3, at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt. Season 3 will pick up four months after the events that nearly ended Jackson's life and resurrected Peter Hale (Ian Bohen) with teen werewolf Scott McCall and his friends Stiles, Lydia, and Allison beginning their junior year of high school unaware that a new threat has arrived in Beacon Hills: a deadly...

We rejoiced when Boston model/actor Rob Wilson was announced as the The Price is Right's first male model. Hooray for bare chests adorned with price-tag stickers! Wilson will begin straddling jetskis and wielding Plinko chips for a one-week stint beginning October 15, and hopefully he'll do well enough that men become a permanent addition to the modeling staff. In the meantime, we have a few decades of game show brawn to remember:

$ale of the Century's beaming hunks Gregorio Gaviati and David Gibbs want to strike a deal with you.

$ale of the Century: It's the thinking man's Let's Make a Deal! When contestants correctly answered enough questions on this Jim Perry-hosted jam, they became eligible to win prizes for giving up points. If you're shocked to find this 1980s U.S. game show featured male models, consider that $ale of the Century's main gimmick is tempting contestants into buying personal luxury gifts,...

Vinny from "Jersey Shore" believes some of his co-stars are destined for failure after the show wraps up later this year ... telling TMZ only the ones with a Brain will succeed in TV. Vinny was hangin' in L.A. last night when we asked how he felt about MTV getting rid of "Shore" after its 6th season. "They didn't get rid of it ... they just want us to go out on top," Vinny told us ... adding,...

If you're not following Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) on Twitter, you really, really should be. If you know him only as a Weekend Update anchor -- or that guy from 'Remote Control' (oh, hi, the '80s) -- you're missing out, because he's found his true calling in 140-characters-or-less.

Monday morning, Quinn went on a sarcastic rant reminding his followers that good comedy is never controversial, and that comedians who push boundaries onstage are seriously lacking in good taste. He then proceeded to retweet pretty much every negative comment anyone fired back at him, mostly those who didn't get the joke.

Live comedy has made headlines lately, thanks to the likes of Daniel Tosh and Dane Cook being called out for telling untested material in clubs that sparked a lot more discussion on the Internet than they appeared to in the moment. Not that anyone's defending those jokes, but...

Animated ensemble beats out '80s metal flick 'Rock of Ages' and 'That's My Boy.'

By Ryan J. Downey

'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted'

Photo:

Neither nostalgia for '80s hair metal nor a team-up of former "SNL" castmembers could overcome a bunch of homesick zoo animals at the box office over the weekend."Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" was the #1 movie in America for a second weekend in a row, as families celebrated Father's Day with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer to the tune of another $35.5 million. But both of the weekend's big new studio pics, "Rock of Ages" and "That's My Boy," underperformed, leaving the #2 slot for "Prometheus" to claim for a second consecutive week. The (sort of) "Alien" prequel took in another $20.2 million.

As a group of industry experts predicted to MTV News last week,...

Animated ensemble beats out '80s metal flick 'Rock of Ages' and 'That's My Boy.'

By Ryan J. Downey

'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted'

Photo:

Neither nostalgia for '80s hair metal nor a team-up of former "SNL" castmembers could overcome a bunch of homesick zoo animals at the box office over the weekend."Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" was the #1 movie in America for a second weekend in a row, as families celebrated Father's Day with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer to the tune of another $35.5 million. But both of the weekend's big new studio pics, "Rock of Ages" and "That's My Boy," underperformed, leaving the #2 slot for "Prometheus" to claim for a second consecutive week. The (sort of) "Alien" prequel took in another $20.2 million.

As a group of industry experts predicted to MTV News last week,...

Howard Stern is a rare pop cultural phenomenon: He's both thrilling and boring. I love that he's around, and I love that he continues to revolutionize radio by seizing the format's immediacy and whipping around vulgar candor. To some, he's better than caffeine. But when all is said and done, Howard Stern's point of view is pretty damn palatable and un-astounding, right? If I remember correctly, he's a fart joke connoisseur and a conscientious loudmouth. Would it break your heart to suggest that farts are finitely funny? And that TV, comedy, and the internet are full of conscientious loudmouths now? While Howard Stern will always be the King of All Media, his mighty fiefdom has many bankable heirs.

That brings us to America's Got Talent, the utterly ridiculous NBC talent competition that Howard Stern is suddenly co-judging. With Piers Morgan out of the picture, Stern is left -- with...

Believe it or not, from Adam Sandler’s extensive body of films, he has never made a sequel. Now some of you may argue that his basic plot is rehashed in 90% of his films (and I wouldn’t disagree), but the fact remains that there has never been a second installment of any of his films. It seems that the creative well has run even drier as Showblitz (via Variety) reports that Sandler is in talks with Grown Ups scribe, Fred Wolf to discuss a potential sequel. I can’t exactly blame him. Sony and Happy Madison Productions’ Grown Ups was the highest-grossing film for Sandler at a worldwide total of $271 million. Though Sandler is not yet signed on for the sequel, his involvement is contingent upon the script. Perhaps we’ll see him in a reunion with Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade. Hit the jump for more,...

Directed for the stage by Jerry Seinfeld and taped before a live audience at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City, "Colin Quinn: Long Story Short", "...showcasing the comedian's keen observations in the uproarious history of the world, juxtaposing modern-day human behavior with the rise and fall of empires..." will be available on DVD and Blu-ray, December 6, 2011.

Quinn began his comic career in New York as a regular on the comedy show circuit, making his TV debut as co-host of the MTV game show "Remote Control", followed by a 5-season stint with NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn".

First running on Broadway, then airing on HBO, "Long Story Short", produced by Eva Price and Richard Martini has been touring throughout 2011.

Colin Quinn will be signing DVDs and Blu-rays of "Long Story Short", in New York City, Tuesday, December 6 @ Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St at 6:00 Pm.

8. Chuck Woolery ("Wheel of Fortune," "Love Connection," "Scrabble"): Chuck Woolery was the original host of "Wheel of Fortune," but lost the gig to the smarmy wet blanket, Pat Sajack, after a salary dispute. Almost all of Woolery's episodes have been permanently lost, as NBC had a habit of wiping tapes to save money.

Where Is He Now? The man is over 70, so he's not doing much. His most recent show was "Lingo" on Gsn, which ran from 2002-2007. I don't know where it aired, but in 2003, there was also a reality show that tracked Woolery's daily life.

7. Ray Combs: ("Family Feud"): Combs started out as a warm-up act for sitcoms, including "Amen." He had very little experience when he was selected, but Combs was behind the revitalization of the show, after replacing Richard Dawson. However, after six years, Richard Dawson replaced Combs again. Combs last words on "Family Feud,...

Standup comic Colin Quinn says he fancies himself an actor—if for no other reason than he's currently on Broadway, doing a solo show, "Long Story Short," at the Helen Hayes Theatre. It's not his first time in a legit theater—in 1998 he performed "Colin Quinn: An Irish Wake" at the Helen Hayes after an Off-Broadway run—but the challenge is not that he's on Broadway. "Anytime I perform, I feel pressure," Quinn says. "People have come to see you. They've paid. You'd better be good." The challenge is that performing in a theater is singularly different from doing your act in a comedy club, where his new show was born.In "Long Story Short," directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Quinn evokes an unexpected blend of Jackie Mason and Studs Lonigan as he takes on, in 75 minutes, the demise of the world's major empires. Speaking rapidly in his marked Brooklyn accent,...

One word seems to best describe Jerry Seinfeld's role as a Broadway director: reluctant.

The TV and stand-up star said he began helping comedian Colin Quinn develop material for what would become Quinn's one-man stage show Long Story Short and then got roped into directing a work that traces global events from the caveman to the digital age in just 75 minutes.

"There is very little performance comedy that works on his intellectual level. He's one of these guys that can do it. It just needed a form," Seinfeld said during a press event Tuesday to publicize the show. "I kind of challenged him to come up with a form and he did. And then once he did, I was kind of stuck getting involved with it."

In the show, Quinn - the former host of MTV's late-1980s game show "Remote Control" and a "Saturday Night Live" cast member...

Director: Dennis Dugan Writers: Adam Sandler, Fred Wolf Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph Now fourty-somethings, Lenny Feder (Sandler), Eric Lamonsoff (James), Kurt McKenzie (Rock), Marcus Higgins (Spade) and Robert "Rob" Hilliard (Schneider) are five longtime friends who won their junior high basketball championship together but have grown apart by their different life paths. Now word comes that their beloved basketball coach has passed away and the guys (family in-tow minus Marcus) all head back to New England and reunite 30 years later to pay their respects and conveniently spend the Fourth of July weekend at the lake house where they held their coveted championship celebration with the now deceased coach. Lenny is the most successful as a bigshot Hollywood agent, Eric is a furniture salesman, Kurt is a house husband and aspiring chef, Marcus is a lady loving bottle hugger,...

In the midst of celebrating all of the great things that happened in 2009 and anticipating all of the brilliance that is sure to be delivered in 2010, we also have to take a look back at the stars we lost in 2009. As Skillz noted in his annual year-end "Rap Up" track, it seemed like every other day delivered a story about the passing of a beloved celebrity — sometimes tragically. Just yesterday, we learned of the death of Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan at 28. Elsewhere in the rock world, we lost legendary Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, Lynyrd Skynyrd's Billy Powell, guitar guru Les Paul and DJs Grand Master Roc Raida and Mr. Magic.

In Hollywood, actress Brittany Murphy — who starred in some of the most definitive youth movies of the past 15 years — passed away only a few weeks ago. Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze both died after prolonged battles with illness,...

Eight Guidos and Guidettes, the beach, a bar called “Karma” and a plot driven by drunken hook-up attempts, what more could you want?

Not much, apparently. Between its debut Dec. 3 and its fourth episode last week, the audience for MTV’s new Jersey Shore series has grown from 1.4 million to 2.5 million, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

Cast members were guests of Conan, Leno and Jimmy Kimmel last week. SNL spoofed the show Saturday night. Ashton Kutcher has gushed that Jersey Shore is “blowing my mind” and acknowledged that he’s a “huge fan.”

The series has also attracted its share of critics, especially among tourism officials and members of Italian-American organizations.

The show follows the lives of a group of twenty-somethings — all self-identified “Guidos” and “Guidettes” — sharing a bungalow in Seaside Heights, N.J.

As one of them explains: “I was born and raised a ‘Guido.’ It’s just a lifestyle.

Welcome to the 213th Edition of my long-running series. I have one last performance today for A Time For Christmas which has gone quite well. I just hope I get a part in one of the things I have auditioned for. This week I pay tribute to the later Remote Control host Ken Ober. Now let's get to my 10 selections for the week.Slumdog Millionaire (2008): This is #28 on Dr. Royce Clemens' top 50...

MTV and Facebook are teaming up to host a live webcast for filmmaker James Cameron’s epic adventure Avatar.

“Avatar Live” will stream in HD simultaneously on MTV.com and Facebook on December 3, 2009 at 3:00pm Et and followed by an all-new “Behind the Screen” Avatar-themed episode on MTV in December.

The three-hour event will present exclusive footage and give fans the chance to engage in live discussion with Cameron and two of the film’s stars, Sam Worthington and Zoë Saldana.

The movie is set to hit theaters and IMAX 3D on Dec. 18.

First Look at Interactive ‘Avatar’ TrailerMTV obtains TV rights to “This Is It”Ken Ober, MTV legend and host of ‘Remote Control,’ dead at 52.Fan Choices for Spider-Man 4 Villain Grab Director’s Attention...

Ken Ober, the host of one of MTV's early non-music series, the pop culture game show "Remote Control," passed to that great boob tube in the sky recently. Ober was the Wink Martindale of Generation X, going on to host three more game shows ("Make Me Laugh," "Smush," and "Perfect Match") before trading in his blue cue cards for a job behind the camera. Most recently he produced comedies like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

But Ober wasn't the only young hopeful to get his start on the emerging music television channel in its early days. In fact, MTV launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest actors and continues to discover future celebrities in unlikely places like the O.C. Take a look at stars who got their start on MTV and see where they are now.

Look, we all know what you're doing this weekend. You're not preparing for Thanksgiving, raking the last of your leaves before the snow arrives or indulging in this year's batch of Beaujolais Nouveau. Rather, you're going to be at your local cinema watching Taylor Lautner's perfectly-sculpted abdominal muscles in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." And we can't blame you — it's a heck of a roller coaster ride through teenage angst and vampire mythology. But in between screenings (because you're obviously seeing it more than once), you should catch up on everything you missed this week here on the Newsroom blog.

» Last weekend saw a couple of cool-looking flash mobs in honor of Janet Jackson's Number Ones, and we had a first-person account from one of the dancers. (Be sure to catch Janet this Sunday on the American Music Awards, where she'll open the show.)

» MTV mourned the passing of comedian,...

Ken Ober, the comedian and TV producer best known for being the host of the late eighties MTV game show Remote Control, died on November 15 at the age of 52. For those of us who were weaned on MTV during the Reagan/Bush era, Remote Control was an important touchstone, tailor-made for Gen Xers—a game show that was all about pop culture, that was deeply ironic about pop culture, that was peppered with absurdist humor from comedian bit players that were about to become household names: Adam Sandler, Denis Leary, Colin Quinn. I remember watching the show religiously with my...

The host of one of MTV's early non-music series "Remote Control" passed to that great game show in the sky this week. The 1980s pop culture quiz show tested contestants' knowledge of TV, music videos, and all things entertainment by strapping them into recliners and handing them a remote used to chose categories. Ober was quick-witted and casual, a perfect combo for the MTV fare. He was the Wink Martindale of Generation X, going on to host three more game shows ("Make Me Laugh," "Smush," and "Perfect Match") before trading in his blue cue cards for a job behind the camera. Most recently he produced comedies like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine." He is credited with helping launch the careers of several comedians including "Rc" regulars like Adam Sandler who said he was one of "sharpest, quickest, sweetest guys I ever met," and Denis Leary added,...

Ken Ober's untimely and rumor-laden passing has inspired a surge of nostalgia for his game show Remote Control, the first program on MTV to eschew music entirely. Less remembered is the influence of Ober himself, whose sardonic emcee skills led to a wave of fuddy-duddy television hosts with less-than-genteel methods of engaging contestants. Ober's ripple effect, it turns out, continues even today.

Attention children of the '80s: If you haven't already heard, television's Ken Ober died at the age of 52. The cause of death is not yet determined, although his agent noted that Ober "complained of headaches and flu-like symptoms on Saturday night." While he produced shows like Mind of Mencia and The New Adventures of Old Christine, he's probably best known for his time as the host of MTV's '80s quiz show: Remote Control.

Remember it? Three players would get strapped into arm chairs, answer questions about television and film (basically anything that could be found on TV), find food raining down on their heads, and get entertained by the likes of Colin Quinn, Kari Wuhrer, Denis Leary, and Adam Sandler. It was part classic MTV ridiculousness, and part media junky geek party.

In memory of the host and show, I thought I'd take us back in time for...

MTV Networks has purchased the exclusive TV rights to the Michael Jackson documentary “This Is It” from Sony Pictures.

The deal will make the movie available to MTV and its sister networks starting in 2011 for a six-year window. The pact allows for the title to run the gamut of MTV Networks’ music channels, including MTV, VH1, VH1 Classic.

“This Is It,” a documentary chronicling Jackson’s rehearsal for a series of London concerts that was to have begun just weeks before his death in June, has raked in $222.6 million in a two-week span worldwide since Oct. 28.

Ken Ober, MTV legend and host of ‘Remote Control,’ dead at 52.‘This Is It’ Bringing in MillionsThis Is It Movie Review Fan Choices for Spider-Man 4 Villain Grab Director’s Attention...

Ken Ober, host of "Remote Control" is dead at the age of 53. Ober is remembered as the host from the game show which aired on MTV back in the 1980's. According to the Associated Press, Ober was found dead in his home in Santa Monica on Sunday. The cause of his death is unknown at this time, however, reports said he'd complained of headaches and flu-like symptoms Saturday evening. Ober hosted five season of the previous hit game show "Remote Control" and helped produce shows like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine". Famous faces who participated on the game show include Adam Sandler, Dennis Leary, LL Cool J, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jerry Mathers and 'Weird Al' Yankovic. Ken's friends and family have our prayers.

Read more...

Last night got busy in Twitter-Wood on a few fronts. Former "Remote Control" host Ken Ober's passing surprised a number of tweeters, including Brian Posehn and Jeff Katz, who both noted his loss.

L.A.'s Westwood village theatre, meanwhile, was epicenter for all of the "Twilight" Twitterverse during the "New Moon" premiere. BooBoo Stewart posted a pic from the red carpet, Rachelle Lefevre posted her reasons for missing the event, Brett Ratner was in attendance and Kevin Smith made a date out of the night with his daughter. You can check out what they had to say after the jump along with Twitter Pic pick that I selected more for its significance than its shock value, as Neil Patrick Harris officially moved into the Twitter-Wood neighborhood. It's all in the report for November 17, 2009.

Twitter Pic of the Day:

@ActuallyNPH Felicia Day is popular. She mentions me and Twitter and Kablammo!

Yesterday's news about the untimely death of Ken Ober is still being felt by family, friends and colleagues. As Kurt Loder wrote in his remembrance of the veteran comedian and TV producer, "Remote Control" was so ahead of its time that the rest of television has yet to really catch up to it. "Remote Control" was a remarkable half hour of programming, somehow simultaneously supporting the quiz format, sketches, stand-up, music videos and the occasional foray into pick-up baseball.

The game show portion was especially brilliant, as it brought together the sort of knowledge found in dusty boxes of "Trivial Pursuit" with garbage facts left behind after hours of television viewing (movie theme songs, cast members on "The Partridge Family," details about "The Facts of Life"). In essence, Ober was a nerd who managed to spin his obsession with junk culture into a point of view and a career. In the age before the Internet,...

The sudden and shocking of passing of TV writer, producer and host Ken Ober turned a lot of heads. Here's one of Ober's head (ahem) getting turned, for a change.

Collin Quinn, Ober's longtime friend and Remote Control co-host, posted a hilarious picture on his Twitter page of himself, Ober and the uber-cute Kari Wuhrer on the set of their equally hilarious game show.

I'm tempted to let Bob use this for our weekly Subtle Subtitles post, but am worried the funniest of the comments will get us banned from every library in the country assuming, of course, that reading is still going on in America's libraries.

Continue reading Colin Quinn remembers Ken Ober in his special way

 

Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Obituaries, Game Show, Reality-Free

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Adriana Lima and Marko Jaric welcome a daughter! - Fashionologie Bethenny Frankel's father passes away at 68 - PopEater Us reveals its 2009 Hot List - Us Weekly Remote Control host Ken Ober passes away in La - Celebitchy Nicole and Keith show Sunday around NYC - Icydk Molly Sims reveals she's dating Aaron Eckhart - Fox 411 Elton John bounces back after his bout with E. Coli - Lifeline Live Cindy and Rande's alleged extortionist turns himself in - TMZ Nicole Richie gets a restraining order against two photographers - Wonderwall Hugh Grant's first love is golf - I'm Not Obsessed Michael Lohan continues creeping people out - The Blemish...

Ken Ober, best known as the host of the MTV game show Remote Control, has died at the age of 52.  No cause of death has been identified as yet.

Ober was the host of the series for five seasons on MTV, airing first in 1987.  The series helped launched the careers of several notables, including Colin Quinn, Kari Wuhrer, Denis Leary and Adam Sandler.  He followed the series as producer of Mind of Mencia for Comedy Central and also as a consulting producer for several episodes of The New Adventures of Old Christine on CBS.  Ober got his start as a stand up comedian on Star Search in 1984 where he was named the Comedian Champion.

If you want to get a bit nostalgic with us, come on along with us back to the late 80's... and yes, there may even be an odd comic book tie-in for this episode:...

Ken Ober, who hosted MTV's pop-culture-centric game show Remote Control for five seasons beginning in 1987, was found dead in his home on Sunday, the network reports. The 52-year-old's cause of death has yet to be determined. Ober began his career on Star Search but spent recent years behind the scenes, working in production on comedies like The New Adventures of Old Christine and Mind of Mencia. "Kenny Ober was and always will be the quickest wit in the room," fellow funnyman Denis Leary tells MTV News. "He was fall-down funny from the moment he was born—a smart, fast and hilarious human being who made many of us, including myself, laugh until we cried. As the star and host of Remote...

Ken Ober was a unique talent. As the host of the MTV game show "Remote Control" (which ran on the network from 1987 until 1990), he was given the task of not only driving the show (reading questions, announcing prizes, keeping up the pace) but also providing laughs, pausing for skits and interacting with his wacky team of sidekicks, which included future stars Adam Sandler, Dennis Leary and Colin Quinn. The veteran stand-up comic and television producer passed away over the weekend at age 52.

Quinn weighed in on Ober's passing yesterday, but the top MTV News archivists resurrected an interview with him from 1999 (which was taped for an episode of "Uncensored" that contained a behind-the-scenes look at "Remote Control"). Ober and Quinn began on the stand-up circuit in New York in the '80s, so they were old friends who managed to elevate themselves to the strange cable creation that was "Remote Control.

Ken Ober, the humorous and abrasive host of the MTV game show “Remote Control,” has passed on. He was 52.

Airing at the apex of the MTV Network’s history, 1987 through 1990, Remote Control pitted three teenage or young adult contestants in a trivia competition, answering questions about music, television, and pop culture. The show also featured skits and character sketches from new improv comedians, helping launch the careers of Colin Quinn, Denis Leary and Adam Sandler. Several episodes are available online.

Remote Control, aside from being thoroughly enjoyable even two decades later, was notable for being one of MTV’s first forays into non-music video programming. The game show paved a path for all the subversively weird programming MTV would soon become famous for: Liquid Television, Beavis and Butt-Head, The State, Jackass, and Wonder Showzen all owe a debt of gratitude to Ken Ober and his comedic dissidence.

Sadly, following Remote Control’s cancellation,...

Adam Sandler and Denis Leary have paid tribute to U.S. TV personality Ken Ober, who died on Sunday.

Ober was found dead at his Santa Monica, California home, aged 52. His cause of death was unknown as WENN went to press.

The actor and former game show host was best known for his presenting duties on MTV show Remote Control from 1987 to 1990.

The game show launched the careers of Sandler and Leary, and they have been quick to pay tribute to their mentor.

Sandler says, "Ken Ober was one of the sharpest, quickest, sweetest guys I ever met. He was always a great friend and I will miss him very much."

And Leary echoed his pal's sentiments, adding, "Kenny Ober was and always will be the quickest wit in the room. As the star and host of Remote Control, he was a welcoming ringmaster who helped to kickstart the careers of numerous talents, including Adam Sandler, Colin Quinn and myself.

"He will be remembered always by each of his friends not only for his massive talent but for his true, deep and enduring friendship."

Ober is survived by his mother, father, stepmother and a brother.

Ken Ober, host of MTV's Remote Control, has died at the age of 52, TVGuide.com has confirmed.

"His body was discovered in his home on Sunday," Mark Measures, Ober's talent agent, said. "The last person to have spoken to him was on Saturday morning. No foul play is suspected, no suicide, it looks like natural causes, just no one knows the exact cause yet."

Ober began his career on...

This was a sad day at MTV, as we had a death in the family. Ken Ober, the longtime comedian, television producer and host of early MTV game show "Remote Control," passed away at age 52.

Arguably, Ober's most indelible legacy is "Remote Control," which premiered in 1987 and was one of MTV's first attempts at crafting an original television series. The premise was delightfully low-fi: Ober posited that he hosted a media-obsessed game show out of the basement of his parents' house, and he was joined by a cast of characters who wandered through the set (including fellow comedian and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Colin Quinn, who acted as the Andy Richter to Ober's Conan O'Brien). The show featured three contestants getting asked a barrage of pop culture questions about movies, music, television shows, sports and, of course, music videos. Along the way, the show was interrupted by comedy skits,...

By Wrap Staff

Ken Ober, a comedian best known for hosting MTV's late-'80s game show "Remote Control," has died.

Ober's reps confirm that he died over the weekend at the age of 52. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Lee Kernis, a manager at Brillstein Entertainment Partners who represented Ober for more than 20 years, told the New York Times that Ober was found dead on Sunday. He said Ober had last been heard from on Saturday night, when he spoke to a ...

Wow, it's one thing to write about the death of someone like Edward Woodward, someone who was older and not in good health, but it's another thing to write about the death of someone only 52. Ken Ober, who hosted the classic (well, in my mind it's a classic) MTV game show Remote Control in the late 80s, died yesterday of unknown causes.

If you've never seen Remote Control, it was a wacky pop culture trivia game show that supposedly was filmed in Ober's basement. Besides being a really fun game show (especially for someone raised on television), it costarred a lot of people who later became household names, such as Adam Sandler, Denis Leary, and Colin Quinn.

Continue reading Remote Control host Ken Ober dead at 52

 

Filed under: Celebrities, Obituaries, Reality-Free

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